Robotic welding systems under scrutiny
A recent demonstration of the latest in robotic welding systems at the Victorian head office of SMENCO attracted a very interested audience from the welding and metal fabrication industry.
A cross section of SMENCO distributors and customers were part of a discussion and hands-on demonstration of Fronius Robotic Welding Systems which are designed to be compatible with most leading robot brands including ABB Robotics (pictured).
Fronius has developed high-grade system components for them, from the hosepack all the way to the welding torch.
SMENCO says many options are available in robotics including gas and water cooled welding systems. As part of the trade day, SMENCO also showcased its range of Kemper fume extraction systems together with welding and plasma cutting tables.
About Fronius
Fronius International is a family owned Austrian company with nearly 2600 staff worldwide. Fronius is a world leader in the fields of welding technology, battery charging systems and solar electronics.
Upgraded High Speed Pipe Purging System
An upgraded Pipe Purging System has been introduced for High Speed Pipe Joint welding, by Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, HFT®, distributed in Australia by SMENCO. Stocks of QuickPurge®III are available for delivery worldwide.
Using Intacal® II combined with the integrated PurgeGate® device,makes it possible to safely inflate the dams with argon gas, prior to releasing it for purging the space between the dams where the weld joint is located.
It is almost impossible now for the inflatable dams to burst as a result of undue pressure increase or accidental flow increase of the inflation and purging gas.
Continuing the constant development of products Huntingdon Fusion Techniques, HFT® has launched this new upgrade of the QuickPurge®II system.
Other notable features are:
The sleeve between the dams reduces the volume to be purged by two thirds, ensuring a really fast purge time down to 10 parts per million of oxygen.
HFT® has a jointly owned Patent for this design, having originally designed it with the help with Babcock International (now Doosan Babcock) for their contract to lay a stainless steel pipeline along the south coast of England for the transport of Liquid Natural gas from the Isle of Grain.
Sleeve lengths for each size have been carefully calculated so that the QuickPurge®III pipe purging system can be pulled around 90º Elbows for the purging of connecting joints.
QuickPurge®III systems are available for each American Pipe Institute (API) Pipe diameter, with an expansion range to cover all internal diameters from Schedule 10 to schedule 160 and the even thicker pipe wall standards.
Return on Investment (ROI) Charts are available, to show that the payback for each size will normally be between 1 and 2 welds, giving companies the opportunity to make very significant savings on larger contracts.
Materials chosen for QuickPurge®III are such that they are resistant to the higher weld heat present now that the dams are slightly closer to the welds and at the same time exhibiting lower outgassing rates to prevent weld contamination. For welds that are pre-heated and post-weld heat treated, HFT® manufactures the special HotPurge™III matching range for the higher and longer temperature exposure requirements.
In some cases, with QuickPurge®II customers have requested longer sleeves for a variety of applications because of the positioning necessary for the second dam. That very successful option is also available for the new QuickPurge®III version.
On large contracts, HFT® will gladly send technicians for installation, to help in the instruction of welders to show how the system works and to explain the methods of use etc. prior to supervising start up.
All HFT® products are covered by their normal 12 months warranty plus an instant, no quibble, replacement guarantee in the event of faults that may occur.
About SMENCO
SMENCO is one of Australia’s leading distributors of welding equipment, welding consumables and associated welding technology from around the world.
Among other leading international brands, SMENCO is the national distributor for Fronius welding equipment and Castolin Eutectic (both recognised as leaders in Welding Technology and Wear Solutions), Bohler Welding Consumables, Kemper Fume Extraction, Bug-O Automated Welding Systems, and BOA Bore Repair Systems.
Based in Melbourne with offices in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne & Perth, SMENCO personnel have an enviable reputation for knowledge, experience and commitment to their customers and their industries.
SMENCO company trained and experienced field staff are backed by a comprehensive national Distributor Network to provide customers with service that’s never far away.
SMENCO Pty Ltd
I Longview Court
Thomastown Victoria 3074
1300 731 873
www.smenco.com.au
